OPINION: Dr Ken Romeo
Anti aging protocols for children? You've got to be kidding me?! Yet, an anti aging protocol for children may be just what the doctor ordered. Read on...
Cosmeceuticals are products that cause physiologic changes to the skin. They are used for aesthetic purposes and are a popular alternative to plastic surgery for anti aging treatments.
- rf123.com
Studies of cosmeceuticals in pediatric populations are few and far between and the safety of using cosmeceuticals on children and teenagers should be a major concern.
The FDA does not recognize cosmeceuticals so the stringent regulatory requirements as in pharmaceutical production do not exist. Manufacturers of cosmeceuticals are virtually unregulated in terms of marketing. As far as published research in the pediatric population on the use of cosmeceuticals? You've got to kidding me.
As of this writing, I could find NO safety and efficacy study existing regarding cosmeceutical use in young children and teenagers. Virtually all studies on cosmeceuticals have been performed in women with varying degrees of skin aging.
The cosmeceuticals most likely to be used by younger children and teen agers are moisturizers and sunscreens.
And do teen agers worry about their skin? Of course they do!
As the popularity of anti aging cosmeceuticals grows, I suspect that anti aging practitioners will encounter more and more beauty-conscious teenagers using cosmeceuticals for preventive rather than restorative purposes.
At the very least, sunscreen use by children should be considered mandatory for early skin protection from the sun's damaging rays.
The increased understanding by scientists of the mechanism underlying skin aging forms the scientific basis for cosmeceutical use - free radical formation, the effects of declining hormones, and ultraviolet radiation. This knowledge prompts cosmeceutical manufacturers to use retinoids, botanicals such as soy isoflavones to construct skin moisturizers and sunscreen.
Anti Aging practitioners should become familiar with the use of common cosmeceuticals used by children and teenagers. Let's face it, more and more children will be exposed to cosmeceuticals and may experience side effects such as contact dermatitis and skin irritation.
Again, the use of sunscreens is a MUST for children!
The safety of our children should be a consideration by both parents and anti aging practitioners alike.
Yours in Health!
Dr. Ken Romeo, Naturopath and Reflexology
NO ARTICLE OR CONCLUSION IS MEANT TO DIAGNOSE, TREAT, PREVENT OR CURE DISEASE.
CONSULT YOUR HEALTH PROFESSIONAL BEFORE MAKING ANY CHANGES TO YOUR HEALTH REGIMEN.
Virtually all well constructed anti aging and health programs include supplementation with various kinds of antioxidants.